Cultivator



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1..

0. 0. HUNTER.

OULTIVATOR. No. 331,885. Patented Dec. 8, 1885.

1/68 .Attorneys 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

0. G. HUNTER.

GULTIVATOR.

No. 331,885. Patented Dec. 8, 1885.

llllNlllIll N. PETERS. Phmmho r bm wamn wn. ac.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3. C G. HUNTER.

GULTIVATOR.

No. 331,885. Patented Dec. 8, 1885.

II/IIIIIIII WITNESSES 1.7V VEJV TOR m ttorueys UNITED STATES PATENTCrricE.

CHRISTOPHER C. HUNTER, OF CONCORDIA, KANSAS.

CULTIVATO R.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 331,885, dated December8, 1885 Application filed July 3, 1885. Serial No. 170,618.

To alt whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHRISTOPHER C. HUNTER, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Concordia, in the county of Cloud and State ofKansas, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Cultivators, ofwhich the followingisaspecification, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings.

This invention relates to a combined seeddrill and cultivator, designedmore particularly for use by those engaged in light marketgardening, andit has for its object to provide a machine of this character which maybe employed to plow or prepare the land, plant the seed, and cultivatethe growing corps by a simple change in the system of garden tools orimplements.

With this end in view the said invention consists in certain details ofconstruction and combination of parts, as will be hereinafter set forth,and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective of the machinewhen adjusted to form a seed-drill. Fig. 2 is a plan view showing itadjusted to one form of cultivator. Fig. 3 is a plan View showinganother form of cultivator, a series of independently-adjustableshovel-plows being employed. Fig. 4 is a detached view of the slottedbeam, illustrating the attachment of two sections of a harrow. Fig. 5 isa similar view,with a scalpinghoe attached. Fig. 6 isa detail view of asmall breaking-plow, with a bolt and not attached so as to be capable ofapplication to my ma chine. Fig.7 is a longitudinal section takencentrally through the seeddrum. Fig. 8 is a transverse section throughFig. 1. Fig. 9 is a front elevation of the seed-drum. Fig. 10 is alongitudinal section of the machine shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 11 is anenlarged side elevation of the seed-drum, showing more clearly theoperation of the coiled spring,which acts as a brake.

Like letters are used to indicate corresponding parts in the severalfigures.

Referring to the drawings, (especially to Figs. 1, 7, and 8,) Adesignates the drivingwheel, provided on oneside with a band-wheel, B,and having a central shaft, C, projecting outward from each side,the;ends of this shaft being threaded.

(No model.)

D designates the longitudinal slotted beam, having its cnds reduced toform journals a, the extreme ends of which are threaded to re- 5 ceivenuts on. Diagonal braces E E receive the journals a of the beam D, andhave their upper ends fitted over the extended ends of the shaft C.Handles F (two in number) have their lower ends provided with metallicferrules or caps G, which are transversely perforated to receive theends of the shaft C, nuts D screwing over the threaded ends of the shaftC, and serving to bind the caps Gand the diagonal braces E in properposition. Vertical 6 brace-rods H are connected attheir lower ends tothe diagonal braces E, and are provided at their upper ends with aseries of perforations, c. Bolts I are secured to and project outwardfrom the handles F, and are adapted to enter any one of the perforationsc of the brace-rods H, nuts cl being employed to bind the parts in theiradjusted position. It will thus be seen that the beam D, to which theimplements are attached,will be securely braced, so as to withstand thestrain brought upon it, and may be adjusted vertically by means of thebrace-rods H. The brace-rods H provide a connection between the handlesand the diagonal braces. E, and since the latter connect with the beamD, to which the garden-tools are attached, it will be seen that theoperator has direct control over the machine and can regulate theoperation with greater ease. A transverse brace-rod, J connects each ofthe handles at an intermediate point of their length, so as to keep themfrom separating. At the outer ends of the handles are attached ringsK,which are adapted to be engaged by suitable snaphooks, 6, provided onthe ends of a flexible band, L. This band is passed across the back orover the shoulders of the operator, so as to ease the action of themachine.

M designates a seed-drill tube, provided at its lower end with a shovelblade or point, N, and having at its upper end a detachable clamp, O, tothe ends of which are fitted two vertical supporting-standards, P. Adrum, Q, is provided with journals f, which are received in slots 9 ofthe standards P, said journals being threaded for the reception of suitable nuts, 71. A guard, R, preferably semi- V circular in shape, isprovided with a depending tube, 1', which is fitted or received withinthe upper end of the seed-drill tube M. This I guard incloses a'portionof the drum at its center, so as to catch the seed dropped from the drumand deliver it to the seed-drill tube. To prevent the seed dropped fromthe drum from scattering over the side of the guard, the latter is madealso semicircular in cross-section, as shown in Fig. 8. In attaching theseed-drill tube to the slotted beam D, the lat ter is turned so as tostand in a vertical position. A clip, S, is passed around the seeddrilltube, and has its threaded ends inserted within the slot of the beam D,nutsjj working over the threaded ends and binding against the beam D andholding the seed-drill tube in place. A covering-roller, T, is journaledin a U-shaped frame, It, the front end of which is bent upwardly atright angles, as at Z, the inner face of this extension Z being concavedto fit the outer face of the seed-drill tube M. Before the tube isfitted in place the extension Z is inserted between the clip S and thetube M, and thereby the roller T will be clamped against the rear faceof the tube. It will be observed that the shovel point or blade N on theend of the seed-drill tube will be caused to open the furrow to receivethe seed dropped through the tube, and as the roller T follows in rearof the seed-tube this .roller will be caused to cover the seed withloose earth in the manner well known.

The drum Q comprises two semicircular sections, at m, the meeting innerends of the sections being flanged outwardly at n and provided withcircular rims 0. The rim 0 of the section an is provided at suitableintervals with diamond-shaped slots p,which are adapted to register withcorrespondingly shaped slots 1), provided on the rim 0 of the othersection, m. Slots (1 are provided in the flanges a of the section at toreceive screws r, the ends of which work against the flanges a of theother section, m. It will be observed that the rims 0 of the twosections at m overlap each other, and ordinarily the slots 1) of eachrim register, and in this arrangement the 1naximum quantity of seed willbe dropped.

\Vhen it is desired to decrease the quantity of seed dropped from thedrum, the rim 0 0f the section on is shifted or turned over the otherrim slightly, so as to throw its slots 1) out ofline with the slot 1) ofthe other section, an. The screws 1' are then turned to hold or clampthe sections in their adjustment. It will be observed that the rim 0 ofthe section m works against the flange a of the other sec.- tion, m, andthus the rim is guided and held. from moving out of place.

To adjust the drum, it is always necessary to loosen the screws 1"before the sections can be shifted to decrease the quantity of seed, asstated. To the rim 0 of the section on are secured cups 8, triangular incross-section, said cups depending in an inclined line from the innerface of the rim 0 and registering at their outer ends with the slots p.These cups have one side left open, as at t, to catch the seedwithin'the drum, and since the cups are set onan incline the seed-willbe caused to pass outward through the slots 1) and down into the guardR, as before described. An opening is provided in the section an and isclosed by asliding cover, 25, the latter being removed when it isdesired to refill the drum. An inclined annular flange is provided onthe section in to receive a band or chain, U, which connects with theband-wheel B on the drivewheel A, and by this connection the drum willbe caused to revolve as the drive-wheel is turned, the revolving actionof the drum agitating the seed within it, the seed-cups s catching theseed and delivering it through the slots to the guard It, from whence itpasses downward through the seed-drill tube M into the furrow. To one ofthe standards P is secured one end of a flat spring, T, which is woundaround an annular flange, a, pro-- vided on the section m of the drum.The free end of this spring is perforated to receive one end of anoperating-cord, U, the latter being connected to ahandle, V, pivoted toa swinging bracket, 7, j ournaled to one of the handles F. The bracketWV swings in'a horizontal plane, and since the handle is pivoted to thisbracket the handle will have both a vertical and horizontal movement.When the handle is swung upward, the cord draws the spring T around theflange a of the drum, this action causing the speed of the drum todecrease. lVhen the handle is swung down, the tension on the cord isreleased and the drum will be allowed to rotate.

It will be observed that the spring T is always coiled around the flangeu of the drum, so that the moment the handle V is operated the spring iscaused to bind against the flange a, and thus check the rotation of thedrum.

\Vhen in normal position, the handle V should be swung down so as tokeep the spring T in its loose state, and allow the free rotation of thedrum. By providing the swinging bracket XV with the pivoted handle V,two independent movements are comb ned,which willserve to check therotation of the drum instantaneously. The swinging movement first drawsthe spring around the flange a, while the pivoted action of the handleholds the swinging bracket from returning to its former position, thusretaining the spring T in its contracted state.

In Fig. 2 the machine is shown adjusted to form a cultivator, theseed-drill tube and its attachments being separated from the machine.The cultivator-bars A are provided withdiagonally-arranged teeth w, andthese bars are adj ustably attached by suitable bolts and nuts to theslot of the beam D. Two cultivator-- sections are provided, one at eachend of the beam D,and by means of the bolt-and-nut connection with thelatter the said cultivatorsections may be adjusted at any angle desired.

When the machine is adjusted from a seeddrill to a cultivator, the beamD is placed or turned to a horizontal position, as shown. By

the arrangement shown in Fig. 2 the cultivator-sections extendininclined directions from eachjendjof the beam D, and rearwardly from thesame, the inclination being regulated as desired by the bolt-and-nutconnection.

In Fig. 3 is shown another form of cultivator, in which I employ aseries of independently-adjustable shovel plows. The plows at each endof the beam D are larger than those at the center, as shown, thisconstruction being found advantageous in use. It will be seen that eachof the plows may be adjusted along the slot of the beam D by thebolt-andnut connection, to accommodate the machine to the variouscircumstances.

In Fig. 4. is shown a portion of the slotted beam D, with two sectionsof a harrow adjustably connected thereto. Each section of the harrow isindependently adjustable in a longitudinal line, so that the distancebetween the sameflmay be regulated as desired.

In Fig. 5 I have shown what is termed a scalping-hoe, attached to theslotted beam and adjustable thereon; and in Fig. 6 a small breakingplowis provided with the necessary attachments to connect with the slottedbeam D. It will thus be seen that I am enabled to convert the machinefrom a seed-drill, and employ it to plow, barrow, or cultivate theground, as desired by the owner. No radical change is made in themachine, since all that is necessary to do is to change theimplementswhich are attached to the slotted beam D.

I lay no claim of novelty to the construction of the shovel-plow, theha-rrow, or the peculiar construction of the cultivator attachment; butwhat I do claim is the peculiar arrangement by which I am enabled toattach these several devices to a single machine and detach themtherefrom when the owner desires to use the machine for another purpose.The ad justment and attachment of the parts are effected with ease andreadiness, and requires no waste of time to effect it, all that isnecessary being to loosen the bolt-an'd-nnt connection.

My machine places in the hands of those engaged in the nursery trade,orin light market gardening, a machine thatis capable of doing all thework that was formerlyperformed with small handhocs. It will plow,harrow, and prepare the land, sow the seed and cultivate the growingcrops, thus providing a machine which will perform all the work in thegarden that is necessary to do during the year.

Having described my invention, I claim 1. The seed-drum with the flangedrim, in combination with the spring coiled around the rim, andconnecting devices to draw the spring tight or loosen it as desired, asset forth.

2. The seed-drum provided with the external flange, in combination withthe spring coiled around the flange, a cord or chain connected with thespring, and a handle operating the cord or chain to increase or decreasethe tension on the spring, as set forth.

3. The slotted journaled beam, arranged to rest horizontally inattaching the cultivator or plow, and extend vertically when applyingthe seed-drill, as set forth. I

4. The drive-wheels, in combination with the handles connected to thesame, and the slotted journaled beam connected to the handles, thegarden tools or implements being adjustable on the beam. as set forth.

5. The d rive-whcel having the bandpulley or chain-wheel, in combinationwith the seeddrill supported in rear thereof, a band or chain connectingthe pulley or wheel withjtheseeddrill, and a spring coiled around aportion of the drum and arranged to bebrought in"contact therewith tocheck the rotation of the drum, as set forth.

6. The drivewheel, in combination with the handles. the diagonal bracesE, the vertical braces H, and the slotted beam D, journaled in thediagonal braces, and to which the garden tocls or implements areattached, for the purpose set forth.

7. The drivewheel provided with the central shaft, in combination withthe handles connected to the shaft, the diagonal braces,

also connected to the shaft, and the slotted beam jcurnaled in thediagonal braces, and to which the garden tools or implements areattached, as set forth.

8. The slotted beam, in combination with the drill-tube,a clip forconnecting the latter to the beam, a wheel or roller connected to thetube by the clip, a guard mounted in the upper end of the tube andhaving communication there with, the suppciting-standards, and the drummounted in the same, for the purpose set forth.

9. The beam, in combination with the drilltube attached thereto,supporting-standards provided at the upper end ofthe tube, the seeddrummounted in the standards, and a guard comm nnicating with thedischarge-openings of the drum and arranged to deliver the seed to thetube, as set forth.

10. The beam, in combination with the drilltube attached thereto,supporting-standards provided at the upper end of the tube, and theseed-drum mounted in the standards, as set forth.

11. The slotted beam, in combination with the drill-tube, a clipencircling the same and having its ends passing through the slot of thebeam and provided with binding-nuts, and a roller having itssupporting-frame clamped by the said clip to the rear face of thedrilltube, as set forth.

12. The seed-drum provided with a flange, in combination with the springcoiled around the flange, a cord connected with the spring, a handleconnected with the cord, and a swinging bracket, to which the handle ispivoted, for the purpose set forth.

13. The seeddrum comprising two sections having overlapping rims 0,which are slot-ted, the slots of one section registering with the slotsof the adjacent section, flanges it, pro vided on the two sections oneach side of the overlapping rims, and screws connecting the flanges ofeach section, for the purpose set forth.

14. The seed-drum provided with discharge openings or slots, andinclined seed-cups secured on the inner face'of the drum around theopenings or slots, one side of the cups being open for the entrance ofthe seed, and the inclined rear side of the cups coming directly on aline with the openings in the drum, as set forth.

15. The revolving seed-drum, in combination with a spring wound orcoiled around a portion of the drum, said spring being normally in aloose state, and connecting devices for drawing the spring tight asdesired, for the purpose set forth.

